Mediterranean couscous salad
With grilled chicken
No time for an elaborate meal, but still craving something nutritious and flavorful?
Then this couscous salad with grilled chicken is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s perfect for a warm evening when you’d rather be outside than standing over a hot stove. This colorful dish comes together in just 20 minutes. Quick, light, and packed with flavor.
What makes this salad even better? It’s easy to adapt based on your taste or whatever you happen to have in the fridge. The mix of colors, textures, and flavors also makes it a great dish to serve, even when we’re just cooking for ourselves.
Why we love couscous
Couscous is a light and versatile grain that’s incredibly quick to prepare. Just let it soak in hot broth for a few minutes and it’s ready to use. No boiling required. No extra pots and no long waiting times. But couscous isn’t just convenient. It’s also easy to digest, contains fiber, and provides slow-release carbohydrates. Exactly what we’re looking for in a meal that satisfies without feeling too heavy, especially on busy days or when the weather is warm.
It’s all about balance
In this salad, we combine fresh, mild flavors with grilled chicken breast stips. The couscous forms the neutral base. On top comes a colorful mix of ingredients: sliced green onions, creamy avocado, diced red bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced strawberries. The strawberries add a surprising touch of sweetness. They’re especially delicious alongside salty feta. Toasted pine nuts add a pleasant crunch, while chopped dried apricots bring a soft sweetness that ties everything together.
One salad, endless possibilities
One of the best things about this grilled chicken couscous salad is how easy it is to customize. No strawberries? Raspberries, pomegranate seeds, or even mango work just as well. Not a fan of chicken? Vegetarian grilled chicken-style pieces or grilled halloumi make excellent alternatives. Or simply leave out the chicken altogether.
This salad is also easy to take along to the park, the beach, or, in our case, out on the boat. Let it cool, store it in an airtight container, and you’re good to go. It tastes just as good cold and makes a great lunch the next day as well.
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Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Mediterranean couscous salad with grilled chicken combines couscous, feta, avocado, fresh vegetables, and juicy chicken in a light and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 5 oz grilled chicken breast strips
- 5 oz feta cheese crumbles or sliced
- 2 cups strawberries
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 3/4 cup dry couscous
- 1/3 cup dried apricots
- 1 /4 cup pine nuts
- 1 chicken bouillon cube (0.36 oz)
- 1 bunch green onions
- 1 avocado
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare just under 1 cup of broth using the chicken bouillon cube.
- Place the couscous in a large mixing bowl and pour the hot broth over it. Add a splash of olive oil and stir briefly. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, slice the green onions, dice the avocado, slice the strawberries (about 2 cups, depending on their size), dice the grilled chicken breast strips, and dice the red bell pepper.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet until fragrant. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and chop the dried apricots into small pieces.
- After 5 minutes, remove the lid and fluff the couscous with a fork. Add all the prepared ingredients and mix well.
- Finally, add the feta cheese crumbles or cut the feta slices into cubes and add them to the salad. Taste and add extra feta or black pepper if desired.
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
